Adjustable air filter assembly for a personal computer

Gas separation – Combined or convertible – Involving communication receiving or transmitting apparatus

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C055S496000, C055SDIG003

Reexamination Certificate

active

06284010

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a filter assembly for protecting the internal components of a personal computer from airborne particles.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A personal computer (PC) generally includes a housing having a variety of electronic components, including a power supply and a central processing unit (CPU) therein. A fan is also disposed within the housing for circulating ambient air therethrough via an intake vent to remove heat generated by the internal components. The incoming air often includes particulates such as dirt, dust, and other airborne particles which adhere to the fan and the other internal components of the PC. Eventually, the accumulation of these particles within the PC reduces air circulation and heat dissipation, thereby increasing the risk of damage to the internal components. The present invention provides an adjustable filter assembly for removing airborne particulates from the incoming air.
The prior art includes a number of inventions designed to prevent dirt, dust and the like from accumulating on or within electronic devices such as PCs. However, none of these devices are adjustable to fit varying size intake vents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,090 issued to Morris discloses a filter for a computer housing including an open cell synthetic foam sheet formed into a bonnet like arrangement by an elastic strap. The cover is placed over the disc slots to protect the computer interior.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,870 issued to Cooper discloses a protective enclosure that completely covers a computer. The enclosure has an open bottom with a compressible seal member thereabout that engages the surface on which the computer is resting.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,291 issued to Cope et al discloses a ventilation system for a portable computer including an exhaust fan positioned so that it increases the air flow to the power supply.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,542 issued to Hayes discloses a computer air filter device and method including a filter panel adhesively attached to a computer housing to cover the air intake grids.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,872 issued to Lawson, Jr. discloses a ventilation system for a PC including two fans attachable to a computer housing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,349 issued to Rodi et al discloses a filter unit for various equipment including a filter having a means for redirecting the ventillating air flow.
As indicated above, various filter assemblies for personal computers exist. None of the above inventions, however, provide all of the benefits according to the present invention. In particular, none of the above devices include a frame mounted filter assembly that can be easily mounted over the air intake vent of a PC to remove particulates from incoming air. Furthermore, none of the above devices include an adjustable frame and an adjustable filter element for allowing a single filter assembly to be used with various computers having varying dimensioned air intake vents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The filter assembly of present invention comprises a frame that is peripherally attached to the air intake vent of a computer housing. A filter element is slidably received within the frame for removing particulates from air entering the vent. The length and width of the frame are adjustable allowing the frame to be modified to fit various size vents and the size of the filter element can be modified accordingly.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a filter assembly that can be adjusted to fit computers having different air vent sizes. It is another object of the present invention to provide a filter assembly for a computer that includes easily replaceable filter elements. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a filter assembly that can easily be installed.
It is yet another object to provide a filter assembly attachable to computers having either bottom or rear mounted air intake vents.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2175903 (1939-10-01), Lichtman
patent: 4659349 (1987-04-01), Rodi et al.
patent: 4751872 (1988-06-01), Lawson, Jr.
patent: 4889542 (1989-12-01), Hayes
patent: 5121291 (1992-06-01), Cope et al.
patent: 5163870 (1992-11-01), Cooper
patent: 5600090 (1997-02-01), Morris
patent: 5772713 (1998-06-01), Salinas et al.
patent: 5827340 (1998-10-01), Fiske

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